Fish keeping, is it in the genes?

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probassfisher010

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 31, 2011
2,635
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California
Just took some rips of Bob Marley's medicine, so forgive me for rambling.

I was just wondering, what makes some of us (many on the site, but not so many in the "real" world) so fascinated with our swimming little friends. I know only a few who seriously keep fish in my town(most I met through the pet store I work at), and even fewer friends who even have a fish tank. Why are we so weird? Why does something that grosses so many out be so interesting and lovable to us? We can't cuddle, can't hold them, squeal when we "pet" them or hand feed them, when much more can be had from a dog(which are amazing too, fish are my favorite type of animal, but Id give up all my fish and tanks for my dog, and I'm sure most have the same passion for their beloved canine), yet we choose to spend plenty of money and time keeping these little creatures. Why? What is deep inside our primitive animal instincts that makes a small percent of humans absolutely love fish?

I'm not talking about the type of people who own fish for decoration, or because they are pretty, or cool, or bad ass. I'm talking about the true fanatics (many on this site) that can sit and watch their little ecosystem they have created for absurd amounts of time.

Also, I have noticed a much higher rate of male fish fanatics... But I know you ladies are there too! Any reason for this, however?


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For me I think its the fact that these guys rely on me. And they seem to know it. This could also be the stupid amount of Bob I have had waiting for this hurricane, but they know who feeds them. They interact with me. My Senegal greets me every time I sit down by my tank. My cichlids await my approach with the food bag when I get home. People seem to think fish are boring, but I feel they have never had a real tank. One you brought to life. Its a sense of satisfaction that you can create and sustain life in an area that should not have it. My Africans are far from home but are very pleased with their surroundings. I love my boogers to death. I spent the majority of my hurricane budget on battery powered equipment to keep them alive, not to mention the hours looking for said equipment and batteries. Took me two hours to find d cell batteries. Isaac, do your worst to us in baton rouge!

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lol this is some good ****. Ya i watch my tank all time knowing that im the reason they are alive and well and i take pride in a clean and healthy tank. I just love underwater ecosystems.
 
aquaponicpaw said:
For me I think there is a God complex. There's a great satisfaction to be able to create a miniature world and rest before it.

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Agreed. I also get great satisfaction knowing that I am always making them happy. But at the same time I know they can entertain themselves when I'm away. Maintaining this little 'world' I have created for my 'subjects' really gives me the warm and fuzzies to see them going about their day doing what happy fish do.

I've always found it strange though how there are people like me that want to keep a fish for 10 years or more and then there are those who would buy the same fish for a 5 gallon aquarium and they think 'oh well when it dies I'll buy another. Some barely see fish as living things, kinda like how they'd see a plant. People are weird.

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As far as the male/female ratio on this site goes I'm honestly not sure why that is. Typically when women (like myself) pick out fish they'd favor guppies over say..a dovi, maybe thats a factor?

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I don't really know why I do it. I've always loved fish and nature. I guess this is my way of bringing it into my home. To me my fishtanks are a window into a world not seen by many people. I get the greatest joy when I can see my fish behaving naturally.

I don't know about there being more male fish fanatics than female. Don't count us ladies out just yet. I think it's that there are more males into the larger aspects of the hobby. Another forum I visit is primarily female. But they have more modest tanks filled with schools of tetra and corydoras. So I don't know if fishkeeping is really a male thing in general or if there just happen to be more guys here.
 
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